Bergeon 8008 vs 2533

Hi all. I already have a Bergeon 8008 and it works great for most screw backs. Was wondering if the 2533 tool will provide any benefit over the 8008 or be useful in specific circumstances. To me it looks like different designs for the same goal, so not sure if it's worth buying or not.

I had not seen the 2533, but reading the description and based on how it looks, I don't think it will open a watch case that you can't open with the 8008. If anything, the ball should work better as it will have a larger area of contact with the case back compared to the suction tool.

Also, the suction feature sounds more like a gimmick as you will be applying quite a lot of downward pressure on the caseback to open it anyway. Suction might help you lift up the caseback easier once you unscrew it, but I don't think that's a big improvement over using your fingers.

If you want an upgrade from the ball, I would look into a Bergeon 5700 or a replica of it.

I like sharing my opinion in the watchmaking section, but I have to add that I'm just a tinkerer, not a real watchmaker.

@rendo thanks for the input. It indeed does seem like 8008 is the better tool, while being cheaper and smaller. A 5700 (replica) is also in my list.

I have both. The 2533 has been around forever. Once I got the ball, I never needed the stick again.

If you are opening casebacks regularly, I highly recommend getting a 5700 clone. If you shop around, you can find one for under $150 USD, and you will never use another opener again.

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Personally I like the ball.

For tough cases I use a lens wrench.

Weird cases, Use a special opener.

@sheepdoll you mean a lens wrench like the following? I've used one of those to open a couple of old lenses and clean them from fungus, but I wouldn't dare keeping it even in the same room as a watch. Then again, my father used to open decent watches with a steel caliper and never scratched one. My balls aren't that heavy.

Yes that is the tool.

Lenses are a lot more finicky than watches to open.

99% of the watches I have acquired online open with the ball. Probably as they have been opened before.

Edit: before I got the ball I used a jaxa tool, which gives watches character. Not quite sure what the point of that tool it. (pun intended.)

Interesting demonstration shown on the Esslinger website.
I wonder if they ever did manage to open that watch.
😉